reynolds



(No Model.) @Sheets-Sheet 1.

l G. H. REYNOLDS.

PNFUMATIG CANNON No. 429,641. Patented June 10, 1890.

(No Model.) I 8 Sheets-Sheet 2.. G. H. REYNOLDS.

PNEUMATIG CANNON.

Patented June 10, 1890.

8 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

G. H. REYNOLDS.

PNEUMATIG CANNON. No. 429,641. PatentedJune 10, 1890.

@www

me mms rz-rsns cn.. moro-umu., wAsHmaTon, n. c.

(No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 4. G. H. REYNOLDS. PNBUMATIG CANNON No.429,641. Patented June 10, 1890.

(No Mom.) {sheets-sheet 5. G'. H. REYNOLDS. PNBUMATIG CANNON.

No. 429,641. Patented June 10, 1890.

im Ws m, mmm., www. D. c,

(No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 6.

PNEUMATIG CANNON. No. 429,641. Patented June l0, 1890.

lllll|||IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII uN-N (No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 7.

N G. I-I. REYNOLDS.

PNBUMATIG CANNON Patented June 10,1890.

Wwf/bm (No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 8.

G.v H. REYNOLDS. PNBUMATIG CANNON.

No. 429,641. Patented June 10, 1890.

ma mmm pneus co., Pnorcvwmo., msmmon, u. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE. i

GEORGE H. REYNOLDS, OF NEYV YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE PNEU- MATIODYNAMITE GUN COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

PNEUMATIC CANNON.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 429,641, dated J une10, 1890.-

Application iilerl April 22, 1884. Renewed April 3, 1885. Again renewedDecember 14, 1885, and again renewed September 29, 1887. SerialNo.251,046. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that l, GEORGE Il. REYNOLDS, of the city and county of NewYork, in the State of New York, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Pneumatic Cannon, of which the following is aspecification.

Myinvention is applicable to cannon wherein compressed air or other gasat a high pressure is employed as the firing agent; and it relates moreparticularly to cannon for iiring projectiles charged with dynamite orother high explosive without danger of bursting the gun.

The import-ant objectsof myinvention are to provide means whereby theshot or proj ectile may be looked and held until the guntube is chargedbehind the shot with air or gas at the maximum available pressure; toprovide for shutting olf the supply of air to the gun-tube at or beforethe time the shot leaves the muzzle of the gun, thus avoiding the wasteof compressed air or gas andlimiting the consumption of air or gas underthe workingpressure to a volume which will iill the guntube or as unichless than that volume as may be desired; to afford convenience foradjusting the gun on its trunnions to vary the inclination and forsecurely bracing and staying the gun whatever may be its inclination; toprovide for turning the gun as desired about a vertical axis withoutdisturbing its inclination, and, generally, to so construct and combinethe several parts of the gun as to secure durability, ease ofmanipulation, and efficiency, and to guard against leakage of air.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a side elevation of a gunembodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan thereof. Fig. 3 is a verticalsection, on a larger scale, of the gun, the tube being omitted, and in aplane transverse to the axis thereof and coincident with the verticalswivel on which the gun may be swung. Fig. 3: is a side view of one ofthe trunnion-pieces detached. Fig. 4E is a side view of the breechportion of the gun-tube. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of the same.Fig. Gis a transverse section on the dotted line a a', Fig. 5. Fig. 7 isan end view of the breech portion of the gun-tube and the valve foradmitting air when Iiring a locked shot. Fig. 8 is a longitudinalsection on the dotted line y gj, Fig. 7. Figs. 8* and 8** are sectionalviews on the line l l, Fig. 8, showing a cock in two differentpositions. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section of the breech portion of thegun-tube and the valve which I employ to admit air when the shot is notlocked. Fig. 10 is an end view of certain of the parts shown in Fig. 9.Fig. l1 is a longitudinal section of the elevating-screw of the gun,whereby its inclination is adjusted. Fig. l2 is a transverse section ofa portion of the stock supporting the gun-tube, and to which thetrunnions are attached. Fig. 13 is a longitudinal section of one of twolong` stays or braces which support the gun forward of its trunnions,including a swiveled fork in which its lower end i-s pivoted and aportion. of the stock and a swiveled fork to which the upper end of saidstay or brace is pivoted. Fig. 14 is a transverse section on the dottedline .e z, Fig. 13. Fig. l5 is a view of the fork shown in Fig. 13 atthe lower end of the long stay or brace. Fig. 16 is a longitudinalsectional view of one of the shorter stays or braces which steady thegun in rear of its trunnions, and Fig. 17 is a side view of adouble-ended fork which has a swiveled connection with t-he gunstock andportions of two stays and braces connected with it.

Similar letters and numerals of reference designate corresponding partsin all the iigures.

I will first describe the construction of the gun tube, the manner ofsupporting and mounting it upon a trunnioned stock or stiifening-brace,the swiveled support in which said stock is mounted, the screw and staysor braces by which the gun-tube is adj usted and held iirmly at thedesired inclination, and the means whereby the gun may be turned so asto direct it towardany point of the compass without varying itsinclination, and afterward I will describe the construction of thebreech of the gun-tube and the ring appurtenances thereof.

Referring first to Figs. l, 2, 3, and 3*, A designates the gun-tube,which is of great.

stock B lightin weight, it may be advantageously composed of a flat webVor plat Z), decreasing in depth toward opposite ends andn having doubleangle-irons h* at the upper Iand lower edges. The greatest depth of thestock is at the trunnions, and at that point filling pieces or blocks cc are applied to opposite sides of the stock, as shown in Fig. 3. Tothese blocks or filling-pieces c c are secured the trunnion-castings C,which are shown in sectionvin Fig. 3, and one of which is shown in planView in Fig. 3*. Each of these castings C consists of a broad flange c',which bears against the adjacent block c,

a hollow trunnion c2, on which is a collar i", forming a shoulder, ribsor webs c3, connecting the trunnion c2 and flange c', and a 'angednozzle c4, from which a pipe or airtube c5 extends toward the breech ofthe gun. One or both ot' the air pipes or tubes c5 may be employed. Thetrunnion-castings C are secured by bolts c6 to the stock B, as shown inFig. 3.

D designates a strong base-piece or standard which consists of a hollow'column having a broad base-fiange (Z, supported on masonry D andstrengthened by Vertical ribs (Z. To the lowerendof the hollow column Dis attached in an air-tight manner the supply-pipe (Z2 for air or gas.Thispipe (Z2 may extend from a compressor or reservoir located in abomb-proof or elsewhere, or from any other suitable source of air or gasunder pressure. The upper portion of the column D is bored out andsurinounted by a flange (Z3, and therein is fitted a pipe E, having afixed collar or fiange (Z1. The collar is held within a gland-ring (Z5,secured by bolts to the flange (Z3. A packingring d* is placed below thecollar (Z4, and between the pipe E and the hollow column D is fitted anangular packing (ZW. By these means a joint is formed which will beairtight and which will still permit the pipe E to swivel within thecolumn D. Above the column D the pipe E is forked or bifurcated, formingthe branches E', which terminate at their upper ends in sockets ort-runnion-bearings (Z6, which are in line with each other and are boredout to receive the trunnions c2 formed upon the trunnion-castings C..The trun-nion-bearings (ZG are fianged at both ends, and at their innerends are fitted angular packing-rings (Z7, which are secured in place lby gland-rings (Z8, bolted to the flange of the trunnion-bearings.Against the gland-rings (Z8 bear the shoulders t of the trunnions c2.

'of air.

The flanged outer ends of the trunnion-bearings (Z6 are closed by plates(Z9, through which are inserted strong bolts d10, screwed into the innerends of the trunnion-castings C. VThese bolts (Z10 are covered by capsor bonnets (Z11 to prevent leakage.

From the bifurcated pipe E E air passes through trunnionbearings andtrunnions and passes out of the fianged nozzle c4 of' thetrunnion-castings C, and thence rearward through the pipes c5. The greatoutward pressure on the closed outer ends of the trunnion-bearings (ZGwould be apt to cause them to spread and produce leakage of air betweenthe trunnions and their bearings; but the strong bolts d10, which tiethe trunnion-bearings axially to the trunnion-castings C, amply resistsuch tendency to spread and thus prevent leakage It will now be clearlyunderstood that by the turning or swiveling of the pipe E in the columnD the gun-tube A may be made to sweep the horizon and directed towardany point of the compass, and by swinging the gun-tube and stock uponthe trunnions c2 the gun may be set at the desired inclination.

Upon the ribs (Z of the base-column D are `lugs or bearing-points (Zi,upon which is secured by screws e in a truly horizontal plane a ring F,rabbeted on the under side, and upon this ring F is supported arotarybase-ring or annular carriage F. The rotary ring F is securely heldtoprevent its rising from the ring F by means of inside and outsideannular gibs or :removable flanges c e2, and the latter is so formed onthe under side as to constitute an annular rack or gear. The gibs orremovable fianges c e2 are secured to the rotary ring or carriage F byscrews 9*, and said ring or carriage may be turned by meaps of a pinione3, fixed on a shaft e4, on which is likewise fixed a hand-wheel e5 forturning it.

Fig. 1l represents in detail an elevatingscrew, which forms a connectionbetween the gun-stock B and the rotary ring or carriage immediately inrear of the column D, as shown in Fig. l. This screw is made in two IOOITO

parts or sections, one of which f is pvoted to 4 a `fork fik, secured inthe ring or carriage F, and the other of which f is pivoted atfi* to thestock B. The two parts or sections ff are provided,respectively, withleft and right screw-threads, and to such threads is fitted a long4sleeve-nut f2, which may be turned by a hand-wheel f3. As the nut f2 isturned to increased or diminished .to the desired degree.

In connection with the `elevating-screw I employ two long stays orbraces F2, extending from the rotary ring or :carriage F forward of thetru nnions c2, and two other sholter stays or braces F3, extending fromsaid ring or carriage rearward of the trunnions c2. The

construction of the stays or braces F2 F3 and the manner of connectingthem with the gunstock B and rotary ring or carriage F is the right orlef't the inclinationv of the gun is p inclination.

shown complete in Figs.,l and 2 and in detail on a larger scalein Figs.l2 to 17, inelusive.

`Each of the stays or braces F2 F3 is composed of the followingprincipal parts, namely: a rod f4, pivoted at its lower end t0 aswiveled fork fw, which is tted to turn in the rotary ring or carriage Fa second and longer rod f5; a sleeve-nut f6, having right and left handthreads, and a hand-wheel ff, `whereby said nut may be turned upon leftand right hand threads on the rods f*L f5; a long sleeve f2, in whichthe rod f5 is free to slide, and which has formed upon or in its innerend a split chuck fsf, having three or more jaws, as shown in Fig. 14,and adapted to be clamped upon the rod f5 by a nut ff, having ahand-wheel f 10, thereby serving to hold the rod f5 and sleeve f8 inabsolute fixed relation to each other.

At the point where the stays F2 F3 are attached to the stock B fillingblocks or pieces g are applied to opposite sides thereof, and in theseblocks or pieces g is a cylindric socket or hole g. (Shown in Fig. 12.)Each pair of braces F2 or F3 are connected by a swiveled double fork.(Best shown in Fig. 17, but also in Fig. 13.) It consists of two forksg2, to which the solid ends of the sleeves or tubes f2 are pivotallyconnected, and which are provided with shoulders g2 and cylindricextensions g4 beyond said shoulders. One fork has a screw-threaded shankprojecting beyond the cylindric extension g4 and into a nut in theextension g4 of the other fork, and the distance between the shouldersg3 is such that when .the two forks are screwed tightly together andbrought into the saine' plane their cylindric extensions form a wristwhich will fit snugly in the socket or hole g of the stock B and will befree to turn therein. As the sleeves f2 are pivoted to the forks, thelatter cannot turn relatively to each other. The two stays or braces F2are pivotally connected with the forks g2 of one double fork, and thetwo stays or braces F3 are connected in like manner with the two forksg2 of the other double fork, as shown in Figs. l and 2.

Then the gun is to be raised or lowered, I loosen by the hand-wheels flothe nuts f of all the braces F2 F2, to allow the rods f thereof to slidefreelyin the sleeves f2 and through the chucks fsf. The nut f2 of theelevating-screw is then turned to bring the gun to thedesiredinclination, the braces or stays F2 F3 readily adjusting themselves inlength to the required The nuts fg are then tightened to clamp the rodsf5 securely in the chucks fsf, thus fixing approximately the length ofthe stays or braces, and finally the nuts f are turned to put tension onall the stays or braces, and thus make them serve in steadying thegun-tube and accurately maintaining the desired inclination thereof. Asthe whole system of braces above described turns with the gun andswiveled pipe E and rotary ring or carriage F the inclination of thegun-tube is preserved toward whatever point of 4the compass it isturned, and the advantages of this are obvious.

I will now proceed to describe the breech construction of my gun and themanner Whereby I lock the shot in the gun; also, the means whereby Iadmit air of full pressure behind the shot while it is still locked, andwhereby I sluit off the supply of air to the gun at or before the timethe shot leaves the gun. These features of my invention are shown inFigs. 4 to 8, inclusive.

The gun-tube A is screwed or otherwise securely fitted at the breech ina breech-section i, having the principal portion of its interior boredto the same diameter as the tube A, but made flaring at the end portionto facilitate the introduction of the shot II. After the shot isintroduced the breech is tightly closed by a screw-plug G, under whichis placed a packing h, or by any other suitable means whereby an air orgas tight joint may be formed. The shot H may be of any suitableconstruction and charged with a high explosive, such as dynamite. I havenot shown it in detail, as I .make no claim thereto.

At the rear end of the shot is a packing h', and forward thereof arenotches or recesses h2, the purpose of which I shall soon explain. Thebreech-section G has a cylindric exterior thereof is a iange hi'. Uponthe exterior of the breech-section G is fitted a sleeve I, the internalshape of which is like and closely fitted to the external shape of thebreech-section, and which is heldlbetween the flange h* and a collar h3,screwed upon the front end of the breech-section. In the breeclrsectionG, just in front of the flange 7V, are radial slots t, diametricallyopposite each other, and in these slots are locking dogs or latches j,pivoted at j', and having noses j", which bear on the exterior of thebreech-section at i', as shown most clearly in Fig. 5. In the interiorof the sleeve I are recesses y2, which increase in depth from theirforward ends rearward, and the width of which is just double thethickness of the dogs or latchesj. At the rear and deepest portions ofthe recessesj2 are blocks of steel jg, secured by screws or pins, andwhich are half the width of the said recesses, as shown in Fig. G. Thelatches or dogs j are of thickness to tit the width of the slots lisnugly and are of such size and form that when held inward, as shown inFig. 5, their backs or outer edges are flush with the exterior of thebreech-section, while when said latches or dogs are out and bear againstthe backs or bottoms of the recesses 32 their inner edges will be iiushwith the bore of the breech-section G, and will thus close the slots t'to prevent the escape of air. In the sleeve I are plugs or sockets j, inwhich are plungers or push-piecesj, actuated by springs j, and thesebear upon the backs of the latches and hold them inward with 'a yieldingpressure and in engagement with OO d for a distance from its front end,and in rear IOO IIO

the notches or recesses '72,2 in the slot'H. When a pressure is behindthe shot, the line of strain upon the latches or dogs j is very neartheir pivots; but the rear or engaging ends of the latches or dogs areso rounded that a suihcient pressure on the shot will throw themoutward. The spring-actuated push-pieces t7'5 add to the resistanceoffered by v the latches to the movement of the shot.

When the gun is to be fired, the breech-section Gbehind the shot isfilled with airof the maximum pressure by means which I shall presentlydescribe, and by turning the sleeve I suiciently to move the blocks orabutments j* from behind the latches 7' and to bring the unobstructedportions of the recesses j* opposite said latches the shot is 'actedupon with suflicient force to throw back the latches and free itselffrom them. The packing Z1. being behind the notches or recesses h2 inthe shot prevents the escape of any air through the latch-slots c', andas the latches when thrown out into the recessesj2 of the sleeve Icomplete by their inner edges the cylindric bore of the gun and 'tightlyclose the slots Z they obviate any liability of the packing 72, beingtorn or damaged and prevent the escape of air through the slots afterthe shot has passed them. The sleeve I may be turned by a handlever Iprovided with a spring-actuated catch or bolt 2, which engages notcheson the breech -section and so holds the sleeve in either of its twopositions. This bolt is disengaged to free the lever by the very act ofgrasping the handle thereof.

I will now describe how the admission of air to the gun is controlled,reference being had to Figs. 7, 8, 8*, and 8**.

- J J designate a valve-box and cylinder, which are in line and below7the breech-section G. In the valve-box is a seat Zo, which is controlledby a valve Z, openinginwardly relatively to the valve-box J. Directcommunication between the valve-box J and cylinder J lis. cut oft by acarefully-packed piston Z, held on the valve-stem Z2 by nuts Z3 Z4. Thearea of the piston Z, on which air in the box J acts, is slightlygreater than the area of the valve Z, and hence when there is nopressure behind the piston it will be moved by the preponderatingpressure on the side next the valve and so open the latter. The pipes orair tubes c5, which extend rearwardly from vthe hanged' 4nozzle c4 ofthe trunnioncastings C, are connected with opposite sides of thevalve-box J, and hence the pressure in said box is always equal to themaximum pressure maintained by the compressor. Communication between thevalve-boXJ and breech-section G is afforded by a passage 7c', and hencewhen the valve Z is open air passes freely from the valve-box J to thegun behind the shot. The rear end of the cylinder J is vclosed by astrong head Z5, having atubular inward projection or small cylinder Z6,containing on the inside a bu1ferZ7, of horse-hide or other material,and surrounded externallyk I, and the turning movementof said sleeve issufficient to turn the plug m2 a quarter of a turn. The construction ofthe valve and plug, with the plug in its two positions, is shown inFigs. 8* and 8**1 The shell m', in addition to the direct way throughit, has a side opening m*, and the plug m2 has a direct passage 2 and apassage 2*, leading therefrom at right angles. When the plug m2 isturned to the position shown in Fig. 8*, the egress from the valve-box Jthrough the pipe m is cut olf, and the cylinder J behind the piston Z isplaced by the pipem, shell-opening m*, and plug-passages 2 2* in directcommunication with the atmosphere. This position of the valvecorresponds to that shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 8 of the drawings. Whenthe plug m2 is turned to the position shown in Fig. 8**, directcommunication is established through the pipe m and direct plug-passage2 between the valve-box J and the cylinder J the side opening m* beingclosed by the plug.

The operation of these parts is as follows: After the shot H isintroduced, and when the sleeve I is turned to lock the latches or dogsj, the plug m2 is also turned to the position shown in Fig. 8*, therebyallowing the pressure to escape from behind the piston Z through thecock-opening m* to the atmosphere. This being done, the unbalancedpressure on the right of the piston throws it over against the buffer ZTand opens the valve Z wide, thus admitting the full pressure of airbehind the shot while it is locked fast, and the parts remain in thisposition, as shown in Fig. 8, until the gun is tired. Vhen the shotis tobe tired, the sleeve I is turned back, thereby releasing the latchesordogs j and allowing the shot to start under full pressure, and at thesame time the plug fm2 is turned to the position shown in Fig. `8**,thereby admitting air from the valve-box J to the cylinder J behind thepiston Z The preponderance of pressure on the right of the piston'beingnow overcome, the valve Zcloses under the force of the springs Z8 Z9 andshuts off air from the gun in all ,cases before the shot leaves themuzzle. The maximum effect is obtained when air is admitted until justas the shot leaves the muzzle; but in order to economize air the valvemay be made to close before-the shot leaves the gun. This may be done byregulating a little plug or screw-valve n in the pipe m, as shown inFig.

8. When this plug or valve is turned back IOO IIO

to leave the pipe full open, the entrance of air to the cylinder J willbe very rapid, and

the valve Z will be closedv an instant after the,

shot is unlocked, and the shot will be prooli' my invention in which theshot is fired while unlocked, and whichV is shown in Figs. 9 and 10. Inthis case the breech-section G of the gun, into which the gun-tube issecurely screwed or otherwise secured, is of simpler form than in thepreviously-described figures. The shot II is provided at its base withapacking Zt', and the breech-section has no openings forward of thepacking. As before described, the rearmost position of the section G isslightly flared to facilitate loading and is closed after loading by aplug G or other suitable means.

J J designate a valve-box 'and cylinder, which are below the breech of'the gun and are in line with each other. The pipes or airtubes leadingrearward from the trunnioncastings C, enter the valve-box J on oppositesides. In the valve-box J is a valve-seat Zt', beyond which is a passageZt', leading direct to the breech-section behind the position occupiedby the shot I'I. To the valve-seat Zt is fitted an inwardly-openingvalve Z, and to the cylinder J is iitted a tightly-packed piston Z',secured on the valve-,stem Z2 by nuts Z3 Z". The rear end of thecylinder J is closed by a head J 2, from which projects inward a tubularextension or small cylinder Z, containing a buffer ZT and surrounded bysprings Zs Z9 on a single spring bearing against the piston Z. Directcommunication between the box J and the cylinder J behind the piston isestablished by means of a passage n, controlled by a screw valve or plugn. This valve or plug, when slightly open, will admit air slowly fromthe-box J to the cylinder J', and will thus counterbalance with theassistance of the springs the preponderance of pressure on the right ofthe piston, owing to its excess of area over the valve Z. In the head J2 is a supplemental chest 0, communicating freely by passages o with thecylinder J and the outlet from this chest is controlled by aninwardly-opening valve 02, the stem o3 of which projects outward andthrough a bridge-piece 04. Upon the stem o3 is a clos ing-spring 05, andinside or in front ot the bridge-piece 04 is a lever K, having a hubwhich is centered and can turn in the bridgepiece 0L and bearing againsta shoulder or collar o* on the stem 03. Upon the lever K arecam-surfaces o, which, when the lever is turned slightly, act 011similar surfaces on the bridge-piece o4, and so cause the lever, byacting on the shoulder 0*, to open the valve o2. The cam-surfaces o( aredouble inclines, and hence a single movement of the hand-leverK servesto both open and close the valve o2.

The lever K should be moved with the greatest quickness possible, foreven it it requires but a fraction of a second it is sufficient forfiring.

The operation ot these parts is as follows: The gunhaving been loadedand sighted, the lever K is moved slightly and as quickly as possible.The opening of the vvalve 02,'pr0- duced by the movement of said lever,allows air to escape from the cylinder J' through the openings o andchest 0 to the atmosphere, and this escape being much more free than theent-rance of air through the aperture controlled bythe valve or plug n,produces an instantaneous diminution of pressure in the cylinder J tocause the instant opening of the valve Z by the unbalanced air-pressureon the piston Z. This air is admitted in great volume to the gun-tubeand the shot is lired. The relief-valve 02 being allowed to closeinstantly by the 'rapid movement ofV the lever K, the escape from thecylinder J is stopped, and air enters thro ugh the aperture controlledby the valve n to restore the pressure in the cylinder J The extent ofopening allowed the valve 'n regulates t-he time ot` closing of thevalve Z; but in all cases it will not remain open after the shot leavesthe guntube. Aft the next firing operation the lever K is moved in thereverse direction. vThe breech-section G forms an extension of the boreot' the gun-tube A, and may be considered as part thereof, so far ascertain features of my invention are concerned. j

I do not herein claim, broadly, the combination, with the supply-pipe ofa pneumatic cannon, of a valve therefor and a retarder operating on thevalve against the power of its driver to regulate the speed ot'movement-` of the valve.

Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. In a pneumatic cannon, the combination, with a gun-tube and a stockconsisting of a skeleton brace to the top of which said tube isattached, of the trunnion-castings C, secured to opposite sides of saidstock and provided with hollow trunnions c2 and rearwardly-projectingnozzles c, the hollow column D, and the bifurcated pipe E E E',comprising trunnion-bearings (Z6 and swiveled in the top ofI saidcolumn, substantially as herein described.

2. In a pneumatic cannon, the combination, with a stock'B and gun-tubeA, of trunnioncastings C, having trunnions c2, provided with shouldersik, trunnion-bearings receiving said trunnions and against which saidshoulders bear, and bolts passing axially through said bearings andinserted into said trunnion-castings, substantially as herein described.

3. Thecombinat-ion of the stock B,the tube A thereon, the-hollowtrunnions c2, projecting from the stock, the trunnion-bearings d, thebolts (Zw, passing axially through said bearings and entering thetrunnions, and the caps or bonnets du, covering said bolts and IOO IIO

- fected, substantially as herein described.

5. The combination, with a hollow column and a pipe fitted thereto,forked or bifurcated and provided with trunnion-bearings, of a gun-tubesupported by trunnions in said bearings, a rotary ring or carriagesurrounding said column, and stays or braces adjustable in length tohold the gun-tube at` different inclinations and forming connectionsbetween said tube and the said ring or carriage,where by the swivelingof the gun-tube, forked pipe, and rotary ring or carriage is effectedand the inclination of the gun maintained, substantially as hereindescribed.

6. The combination, with the gun-tube and its stock provided withtrunnions, of a forked or bifurcated pipe provided withtrunnionbearings, a hollow column wherein said pipe is swiveled, arotary ring or carriage surrounding said column, an elevating-screwbetween said ring or carriage and the stock, and stays or bracesadjustable in length and forming connections between the ring orcarriage and the stock forward and in rear-of the trun' nions,substantially as herein described.

7. rlhe combination, with a gun mounted upon trunnions, of stays orbraces connected with the gun forward and in rear of its trunnions andeach consisting of rods having right an d left hand screw-threads, a nutconnecting them, and a sleeve and chuck wherein one of said rods mayslide freely when the chuck is loosened and be held tightly when thechuck is tightened, substantially as herein described.

8. f The combination, with a gun tube mounted upon trunnions, of staysor braces F'*2 F3, connected with the gun-tube forward and in rear ofits trunnions and each consisting of rods f4 f5, with reversed threads,a nut f6, applied to said rods, a sleeve and chuck f8 fsi, wherein therod f5 may slide, and the nut fg, for opening and closing the chuck,sub- Y stantially as herein described.

9. The combination, with the gun-stock provided w'ith t-runnions c2, thegun-tube mounted thereon, and the bifurcated or forked pipe E E' havingthe trunnion-bearings CZ and the fixed collar d4, of the hollow columnD, provided with an air-inlet pipe (Z2 and receiving the pipe E, thepackings d* (Zitti-below the collar d4, and the rabbeted ring d5, boltedto said column and receiving in its rabbet the collar (Z4, substantiallyas herein described.

lO. The combination, with thetrunnioned gun-stock and the gun-tubesecured thereon, of the bifurcated pipe E E', having trunnionbearings d,the column D, wherein said pipe ,elevating-screw f f described.

is swiveled, the base-ring F, surrounding said column, the rotarycarriage F', secured to and capable of rotation on said base-ring, theelevating-screw forming a connection between the said stock andcarriage, and the adjustable stays or braces, also forming connectionsbetween said stock and carriage, substantially as herein described.

1l. The combination, with the trunnioned and swiveled gun-stock andgun-tube B A, the former being provided with sockets or cylindricopenings g', of the rotary carriage F', an f2, pairs of adjustable staysor braces F2 F3, forks ff, swiveled in said carriage, and thedouble'forks g2 g3, swiveledin the stock-sockets g', all substantiallyas herein described.

12. The combination, with a pneumatic-gun tube, of a supply-valve forcontrolling the admission of air or gas to the tube in rear of the shot,a cylinder and piston connected with the valve-box and said valve, apipe or passage connecting the said cylinder in rear of its piston withsaidV valve-box to effect the balancing of the piston, and arelief-valve, whereby air maybe allowed to escape from said cylinder tounbalance the piston and cause the opening of said supply-valve,substantially as herein described. v

, 13. The combination, with a pneumatic-gun tube, of asupply-valve forcontrolling the admission of air in rear of the shot, a piston andcylinder connected with said valve and its valve-box, a pipe or passagecontrolled by a valve and establishing communication between thecylinder on the rear side of said piston and said valve-box, and arelief-valve for producing a diminution of pressure behind said piston,and thereby effecting the opening of the supply-valve, substantially asherein described.

14. The combination, withy the gun-tube A and its breech-section G, ofthe valve-box and cylinder J J', an air pipe or pipes c5, the connectedvalve and piston Z Z', the former controlling the passage from thevalve-box to the breech-section G and the latter. fitting the cylinderand having the greater area, a spring or springs acting on the rear ofthe piston, a

IOO

IOS

IIO

pipe or passage extending between the valvel boX andl the cylinder inrear of said piston, and a relief-valve for permitting'the escape of airfrom said cylinder in rear of the piston, substantially as hereindescribed.

l5. The combination, withthe gun-tube, of the valve-box and cylinder JJ', air-supply pipe or pipes c5, passage k', the connected valve andpiston Z Z', the smaller cylinder Z'Jl within the cylinder J', thebuffer Z7 in.4 said smaller cylinder, the springs Z8 Z9, surroundingsaid smaller cylinder, a pipe or passage and adjustable valvebetween-said valve-box and the cylinder J' behind said piston., and arelief-valve controlling the escape of air from behind said piston,substantially as herein 1G. The combination, with the gun-tube, 0f

the valve-box and cylinder J J', the air pipe or pipes c5, the passagek', the connected valve and piston ZZ, a spring' or springs behind saidpiston, and the pipe m and valve m m2, whereby the cylinder in rear ofsaid piston may be placedin communication with the said valve-box or theatmosphere, substantially as herein described.

17. The combination, with the gun-tube, of the valve-box and cylinder JJ the air pipe or pipes c5, the passage 7c', the connected valve andpiston Z Z', a spring or springs behind said piston, the pipe m andvalve m m2, whereby thecylinder in rear of said piston may be placed incommunication with the atmosphere or the valve-box J, and the valveadmitting air to the tube behind the shot, a-

device for locking and unlocking said latches or dogs, and connectionswhereby the opening of the supply-valve is effected by the locking ofsaid latches or dogs, substantially as herein described.

20. The combination, with a pneumatic-gun tube provided with latches ordogs whereby a shot may be locked, of a supply-valve for admitting airbehind the shotJ a device for locking and unlocking` said latches ordogs, and connections whereby the opening and closing of thesupply-valve are produced by the operation of said locking and unlockingdevice, substantially as herein described.

2l. The combination, with a pneumatic-gun tube and devices for lockingand unlockinga shot therein, of a supply-valve for admitting air behindthe shot, a piston controlling said valve, and an auxiliary relief-valveconnected with said locking and unlocking` devices and capable of beingopened by the locking operation of said devices to imbalance the pistonand effect the opening of said supplyvalve and closed by the unlockingoperation of said devices to effect the closing of said supply valve7substantially as herein described.

22. The combination, with a pneumatic-gun tube and devices for lockingand unlocking a shot therein, of the valve-box and cylinder J J, theair-supply pipe or pipes c5, the passage k', the connected valve andpiston l Z', the pipe or conduit m and its adjustingvalve n, andthevalve m m2, cont-rolled by the operation of said locking andunlocking devices, substantially asherein described.

23. The combination,with a pneumatic-gun tube and abreech-sectienprovided with locking latches or dogs for engaging with ashot, of a shot having a packing at the base and recesses or notchesforward of said packing for the reception. ot the latches or dogs, and asu pply-valve for admitting air to the breechsection behind the shot,substantially as herein described.

The combination,with apneumatic-gun tube and breech-section, of a valvefor admitting air behind the shot, and latches or dogs for lockiu g theshot, fitted in radial slots in the breech-piece and serving to clos-esaid slots and complete the internal circumference of the breech-sectionwhen swung outward, substantiallyas herein described.

25. The combination, with apneumatic-gun tube and a valve for admittingair behind a shot therein, of the breech-section Gf, constructed withradial slots c', the latches or dogs j, pivoted in said slots andadapted to engage with notches or recesses ina shot, and a sleeve fittedto turn on said breech-section and serving to hold the latches or dogsin eugagement with the shot, the engaging ends of said latches or dogsbeing so formed as to permit of their being forced outward by thepressure on the shot when said sleeve is turned to release them,substantially as herein described.

26. The combination, with a pneumatic-gun tube and the breech-section G,constructed with slots e', of the pivoted latches or dogs j, the inneredges of which are coincident with the bore of the breech-section whenthey are swung outward out of engagement with a shot and the outer edgesof which are coincident with the exterior of the breech-section whenthey are in engagement with a shot, the sleeve I, fitted to turn on thebreech-section to lock said latches or dogs, and a valve for admittingair behind the shot, substantially as herein described.

27. The combination, with a pneumatic-gun tube, of the breech-section G,having slots i', latches or dogs j, pivoted in said slots, the sleeve I,fitted to turn upon said breech-section to lock or unlock said latchesor dogs, the spring-actuated push-pieces in said sleeve, and a valve foradmitting air behind the shot, substantially as herein described.

28. The combination, with a pneumatic-gun tube and avalve for admittingair behind the shot, of a breech-section Gr, having slots i andbearing-surfaces t, the pivoted latches or dogs j, having projectionsjig, and the sleeve I, provided with recessesj2 and abutmentsjs,substantially as herein described.

GEO. H. REYNOLDS.'

Witnesses:

FREDK. I-IAYNES, MATTHEW PoLLocK.

IOO

IIO

